The Miami Heat had an opportunistic, productive offseason. Three-time NBA All-Star center Bam Adebayo might still have his gripes with it.
While he may (and should) be thrilled about the draft-night heist of Kasparas Jakucionis and the deeply discounted deal for Norman Powell, Adebayo's issues could stem from things that didn't happen. And, no, I'm not talking about the lack of a superstar splash that folks who didn't love Miami's summer seem so hung up about.
Adebao's critiques could be more direct and more central to their potential impact on him. The lack of a high-end playmaker might stop him from reaching his full potential, and the depth issues at center—assuming they aren't filled by moving Kel'el Ware to the second unit—could place too heavy a burden on Adebayo's shoulders.
The Heat will be asking Adebayo to do too much.
While there was plenty of frontcourt movement across the Association this summer—Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta, Myles Turner shockingly to Milwaukee—the Heat basically left their 5 spot untouched. Outside of giving undrafted big man Vlad Goldin a two-way contract, Miami is basically running back a big man group that thins out in a flash behind Adebayo and Ware.
The Heat are surely hoping to see a potentially franchise-changing leap from Ware, but development isn't linear. Maybe he takes a sizable step forward, but perhaps he trudges a bit backward. Young players are unpredictable like that. And even if Miami ditches the double-big route to keep Ware behind Adebayo, there'd be similar what-happens-next questions about his frontcourt partner in that situation, Nikola Jovic.
In other words, Adebayo is essentially guaranteed to have a full plate. And not filled in a reasonable capacity, but more like a plate from a buffet customer who trusted their eyes more than their stomach.
Among the many hats he could fill are—clears throat—leading rebounder, second scorer, primary paint protector, second or third playmaker, most frequent screen-setter, and the potential team-leader in minutes, games, starts, and free throws. That's a lot to ask of anyone (especially a non-superstar), even if they're doing everything asked of them by the organization's strict conditioning program.
Is it possible he rises to the occasion, grades out above-average or better with all of the aforementioned tasks, and takes this team farther than anyone expects? Sure. He's a 28-year-old who ranks somewhere between very good and great, and an Eastern Conference without Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, and Damian Lillard figures to be wide open.
For folks who don't subscribe to the-glass-is-overflowing optimism, though, maybe it becomes all too much for Adebayo. There's a chance he has to serve as Miami's best player on both ends—a Tyler Herro trade isn't impossible to picture—and do so without any safety net behind him, given the lack of proven producers in the interior mix.
If all of this overwhelms Adebayo and has him running on fumes, the Heat will be equally tired and all too easily toppled over by the league's true juggernauts.